This morning I woke up to a different tune as the birds song came drifting through the screen of my patio door. Listening intently it struck me that it wasn’t as sweet sounding as it was the day before. In fact, it sounded more like complaining.
I imagined the birds feeling a little like this…”Great, another hot day and my nest happens to be in the direct sunlight! Oh, right! It’s Thursday which means that ugly old guy is going to come by and blow on my house with that long stick of his and mess things up! Dust everywhere, leaves everywhere and noise! There will be no rest for me! Must I listen to my little guys chirping all day wanting more food and all of my attention? Oh, I wonder if my birdies daddy plans on bringing dinner home or if I am going to have to go out and get it myself…and the crows! Must I have them swooping down on my nest all day attempting to snatch up my little guys destroying all I’ve so proudly toiled over for my family. All the rodents out there and they want what I have, can’t they go somewhere else for breakfast! Looks like another day of protecting my young and dodging the attacks of the enemy. Oh…look over there across the treetops, the grass appears to be greener on the other side…I wonder if I’d be happier over there…”
It reminded me of a commercial (see the link below) and how we tend to think what others have might bring us more happiness in life. Thoughts of having it all or having more can distract us and take us to a place where we no longer consider the risk of being disrespectful or losing what we love. Hard fact but we’re faced with the decision to be content with what God has provided to us every day as we look across our tree tops.
Even Abraham and Lot faced this dilemma as they looked across the land of the Jordan Valley. (Genesis 13:1-18) What looked like having it all to Lot and his need for more ended up being his downfall and brought Lot and his family so much loss and sorrow. If only they would have been content with what God had provided them at that moment and time. May we be mindful of how Greener…Bigger…are not always better.
Most People Don’t Know What They Want…But it is something different from what they have.
Well it’s time! I’ve been praying and contemplating on how to get going with the completion of my writing project. You see there have been days it’s been painful and I’ve had to stop. But through it all God has brought healing and encouragement. Today I’m looking at the progress, growth and answered prayers with a thankful heart for the many trials God has brought me through. I am especially grateful for the tenderness he has uncovered through His mighty Spirit which He has placed so carefully within the walls of my heart.
These are just a few of my journals which boldly remind me of all God has done, is doing and what is yet to come! I pray the pages can form a story that empowers, encourages and reveals more of God’s love and faithfulness for those who belong to him. Let us never give up hope because with God all things are possible! Mark 10:27
As much as we love we too have moments of selfishness and sometimes in our selfishness we’ve been known to leave scars.
One of my favorite scenes from the Rocky movies is where Rocky Balboa tells his son how proud he is of him. He gives the speech every son needs to hear. (Actually every son and daughter!)
With emotion he warns his son of the world in which we live and what matters is how much we can take and keep moving forward because that’s how winning is done.
I say to every young man whose parent has left a scar this message is for you. For every parent who has struggled with the words, “I love you and I am proud of you.” This is for you.
Let’s speak life into the lives of our children! May our words echo how much they’re valued and loved! In times of difficulty may our actions be ones that encourage and strengthen them so they will know how to take the hard knocks in life.
Jesus warned us in this world we would have troubles. He then provided the answers as to how we would be able to overcome! Now it’s our responsibility to take this message to our children so they will know how to overcome and persevere in a broken world. I hope this doesn’t sound “preachy” because that is not my intention. There have been plenty of times I’ve failed my son’s and I know I’ve contributed to some of the scars they carry. I write with a humble heart that has experienced it’s own pain as I’ve watched my son’s navigate through hard knocks in their lives!
It’s inevitable we will fail our children at times because we will not always parent perfectly. However, our words of affirmation can take our kids to a place where they not only believe in our love but live like they’re loved. In that courage and love they will soar and we will proudly watch them overcome the things in life that try to take them out. Jesus warned us and provided the answers so all would have the power within to know of his love and know the truth of what it means to overcome!
“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Tonight let’s raise our glass in honor of our children: May we be cognizant of our words speaking enough love that will infuse them with the courage needed through their troubles to get back up and move forward!
Fear to Faith - A Journey to The Other Side 